To think talking to 15 sperate people in a day isn't really that many?

[orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements]

I've seen a meme going round Facebook three times now. Apparently the average number of different people a person talks out loud to in a day is 15.

The comment section is always full of people saying they don't speak to anywhere near that amount of people in a day and some quite horrified by the mere idea of it.

But on three separate occasions, I think I have had fairly quiet days and each time my number has been between 12-18. Is 15 really very much??!!

Today it has been:
My husband and both of my kids
my daughter's teacher
the lady in tesco express
Another mum I saw in tesco express
3 separate customers
my supplier
Two different people on the phone about a bill
A taxi driver

Total: 13

I've only left the house to do school runs and pop to tesco express while out.

So... how many people do you speak to in a day? For the purpose of the experiment, online or messages does not count. It needs to be spoken out loud.

Oh god. Heading to over a hundred a day at least. But I'm a teacher so that gives a falsely high ratio.

Weekends. Not that many. My social battery is low by then!

I've spoken to four people. My daughter before work, 2 colleagues and the washing machine repair man. But I have teamsed, whatsapped and emailed many many more.

It really depends. A busy day in the office will likely be a lot more. A work from home day without many meetings and no social event could be way less. As an average it probably makes sense

Today I'm on two - my partner and the worker in Aldi. I'm exhausted at that.

I work 6 days so definitely more than that. On a Sunday it's less like. I like some down time.

3 so far today

When I worked it was way more, but on mat leave only 3 or 4 a day, DH, the odd neighbour and maybe a friend or two at a baby group, but I don't do those every day.

Most services etc I wouldn't call for unless absolutely necessary.

I’d say, average working day, not including calls and online meetings, 20+

DP
Gym: person on front desk, few random people I’ve got to know in there, woman in the cafe; 6
walk to work: 2 - someone usually says good morning, lady on the self service checkouts where I get my lunch
work: 10-15. Work in a shared office, know lots of people to pass the time of day.
pub: 2-3 chat to barmaid, landlord, various customers I’m friendly with

So lots. I love a chat.

4 today. Which is about double the usual amount
DH
AS
Receptionist
Nurse

I can believe it as a single woman with no children, living alone and working for myself at home. Some days I speak to no one unless I go to the shop. Some days it's more than 15, if I see friends, go out, and have in-person meetings.

1 today, so far. But my friend was here for three hours. So I'm 'talked-out'.

Dh and 2x dcs in the morning
Work alone from home (all work comms is via Teams today, no meetings)
Actively avoided parents at pickup apart from one mum we exchanged a quick hello

If I had no evening plans (once every few months) that would mean my number for today would be 4.

I'm at a friend's house this evening, so it'll be probably 12 by the end of the day.

Work Days - 30+
Days off - 1

Probably getting on for 100 here (another teacher). The longer I go on teaching (30 years and counting), the more I appreciate silence and time on my own!

6

Today 3. Thats about average.

Depends what someone's job is surely? I don't speak to anywhere near 15 people a day and can't think of an ordinary scenario (for me) where I would. Today it has been 7 (including talking to myself), and that's unusual.

When I'm at work it's way more than 15. Today is a busy day as I'm on call (NHS consultant) so I've spoken to at least 4 other consultants in my specialty, 3 surgical consultants, about 8 resident/junior doctors in various specialties, 4 ODPs, at least 10 different nurses, 4 midwives, 2 managers, 2 staff each in Costa and the canteen, and 4 patients. If you count saying hi in the corridor, it's more again. And my specialty is not generally perceived as a very "peopley" one.

Oh, and my 2 DSs at home this morning, before I set off. DH wasn't up yet.

If I'm not at work, it might only be the 3 in my immediate family, maybe with a quick hello to their 2 class teachers.

Yeah same. At work I might have meetings with 3 individuals max, I might speak to a couple of people briefly when walking the dog and then a couple of times a week see someone socially + obv drs, Tesco, phonecalls to friends/family but there are easily days where I speak to no one at all.

Oooh interesting thread.

Today I am WFH and I have spoken to the following people so far:

Doorman
Receptionist at barre studio
Barre instructor
Another person in the class
Barista in coffee shop
Different doorman
7x people on Teams calls

So 13 people by 11am!

I haven't gone out so I’ve spoken to three people, my two adult kids who are currently at home and the dog. I don’t think I often speak to 15 people as I no longer work. Probably the norm is between 2-5.

If this is face to face early (not teleconferences) it's my husband and the 4 people working in my office.
If it is teleconferences, another 2 more.

I'm not going out tonight so the only person to add to that total is my son.

Granted, there are normally more people in work, but I'd struggle to get to 15 on the days when I only go to work during the day and don't go out in the evening.

I've not heard that before, so it's interesting to think about.
I'm a SAHM. Today 10 people (and don't think I will be out again). This included school run and a trip to the park with my youngest.
Yesterday it would have been more because I took my youngest to a toddler group and then had the kids at swimming lessons in the afternoon. We live in a small town so everyone speaks to each other.

Monday: I reckon 10
Tuesday: I was at a funeral so a countless number.
Wednesday: Pretty quiet day so I reckon 5
Yesterday: 20
Today, so far: 3

So very variable tbh.

Husband
If working, maybe a couple of customers if I have to call them. I WFH.

That's it. If I go to the supermarket I'd speak to the person at the till.

Today I have spoken to DH and the kids, my manager, the EVRI delivery lady and delivered two one to one teaching sessions. We are going out for dinner in a bit so there will be further interaction there but I d say less than 10 is normal for me unless we have a team meeting.